Ever So Easy Beef Bourguignon

This simple recipe by Adele Trathan virtually cooks itself, but it is deliciously succulent and flavoursome. It’s ideal for a wholesome meal when you don’t want to be slaving over a hot stove

INGREDIENTS 1 onion, chopped 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped 1 stick of celery, finely sliced 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tbsp water 500g (1lb) stewing steak 150g (5oz) smoked bacon lardons 400ml (14fl oz) red wine 150ml (5fl oz) water 1 tbsp plain flour 1 beef stock cube 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 200g (7oz) small chestnut mushrooms 2 tbsp tomato puree 2 bay leaves 1 tsp dried thyme fresh thyme, to garnish METHOD

1In a medium sized pan add the onion, carrots, celery, oil and water. Put on a medium heat, cover with a tight-fitting lid and sweat for 10-15 minutes until translucent and smelling sweet and succulent. Check occasionally and stir to stop them browning on the bottom of the pan. Set the pan aside, preheat the oven to 180C/360F/Gas 4.

2Cut the meat into mouth sized pieces and toss in the flour. In a large pan fry the bacon lardons for a few minutes, then add all the other ingredients including the cooked onion base. Bring to the boil, stirring to mix the ingredients and season well with salt and pepper.

3Turn into an ovenproof dish or roasting tin and cover tightly with kitchen foil. Cook for approximately 2 hours, the meat should be lovely and tender. Remove from the oven, the juices will have thickened but if you want to thicken them further, allow the fat to rise to the surface. Then sprinkle over a little plain flour, wait until the flour turns translucent, then tip into a large pan over a medium-high heat and stir until the juices have thickened.

4Serve on warmed dinner plates with rice, mashed or roasted potatoes, sprinkle over some fresh sprigs of thyme. This is tasty autumn comfort food.

SERVES 4

“Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness”

Auguste Escoffier

The Old Post Office, The Square, Forest Row, East Sussex, RH18 5EZ

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SHEARER’S SERVES UP TASTE & VALUE

Since opening in 2013 Shearer’s Fine Foods, an independent delicatessen and food store, has built a loyal customer following. The product range has grown considerably and continues to change in response to customer requests, introducing new products and responding to market conditions.

The cheese and charcuterie counter is inevitably the focal point, and with over 50 cheeses plus cooked and cured meats, it is easy to see why. There is no compromise on quality, with cheeses checked daily to ensure that they are maturing in line with customers’ requirements. The range is underpinned with fabulous local cheeses alongside the best the UK has to offer as well as selected European cheeses.

It is a similar pattern all around the store with lots of tempting foods and drinks, including a wide range of awardwinning, vegan, and free-from products, to make you, your family and your friends feel truly spoiled. There is such a lot to discover around the shop which always includes the following: • Accompaniments: crackers, oatcakes, breadsticks, and crisps, plus pickles, mustards, chutneys, and jellies. • Antipasti: an unrivalled ranged of olives and antipasti including whole, pitted and stuffed olives, balsamic onions and sundried tomatoes. • Ingredients: herbs, spices, salts, oils, vinegars, stocks, sauces, beans, pulses, pasta, rice and fresh Chalk Hills

Bakery bread. • Frozen: loose sweet and savoury pastries, fruit and vegetable mixes, potato products plus restaurant quality desserts and ready meals. • Chilled: cooking chorizo, humous, dips, anchovies plus pates, and cured meats. • Confectionery: boxes of chocolates, truffles, Turkish delight, Italian pastries, nougat and the incomparable Rabitos. • Drinks: wines from around the World, local beers and fruit juices, cordials, non-alcoholic fizz, teas and coffees. • Equipment: paella pans, olive oil jugs, olives dishes, cheese knives and presentation boards. A popular Shearer’s service, especially at Christmas time, are the food and drink gift hampers, which are boxed, packed and wrapped for free. Customers can choose their own contents from the Shearer’s range, or the team will gladly put together a suggested mix within the customers budget and requirements.

Shearer’s also supply food and drink for customer events which can include cheese boards, whole cheeses, cakes of cheese, charcuterie platters, whole hams, and handmade cakes and desserts.

With all these products, it is helpful to have the knowledgeable Shearer’s team on hand to answer questions about the products and guide customers through the different areas within the deli.

The future for Nick is all about delivering more of what his customers want, which means talking to more customers, searching for exciting new products and supporting his local community as he can.